Formula 1 at 75: The 25 Greatest Grands Prix Ever Raced

To mark 75 years of Formula 1, the official F1 website curated a list of the 25 most memorable Grands Prix ever held, spanning decades of extraordinary competition and unforgettable moments.

25. 1981 Spanish Grand Prix – Jarama

A masterclass in defensive driving, where Gilles Villeneuve held off a tightly packed group of faster cars for the entire race. The finish saw five cars cross the line within just over a second, highlighting how precision and bravery mattered more than outright speed.

24. 1963 Belgian Grand Prix – Spa

One of the defining wet races of the early era. Jim Clark dominated treacherous conditions, lapping almost the entire field while others struggled simply to stay on the road at Spa’s daunting high-speed layout.

23. 1984 Portuguese Grand Prix – Estoril

A historic race remembered for launching Ayrton Senna’s Formula One career. In torrential rain, Senna claimed his first victory, showcasing the talent that would soon redefine the sport.

22. 1996 Spanish Grand Prix – Barcelona

A rain-soaked race that turned into a driving clinic. Michael Schumacher delivered a stunning performance in difficult conditions, extracting performance from an otherwise uncompetitive Ferrari and announcing a new era.

21. 1993 European Grand Prix – Donington

Often called one of the greatest individual drives in F1 history. Ayrton Senna’s opening lap, where he passed four cars in the rain, remains legendary and set the tone for total domination.

20. 2018 German Grand Prix – Hockenheim

A modern classic filled with pressure and mistakes. Changing weather conditions exposed even the strongest drivers, culminating in a dramatic late-race twist that reshaped the championship battle.

19. 1999 European Grand Prix – Nürburgring

Chaos ruled from start to finish. Changing weather, retirements, penalties and surprise leaders made this one of the most unpredictable races ever, with unlikely podium finishers emerging from the madness.

18. 2007 European Grand Prix – Nürburgring

Heavy rain triggered crashes, safety cars and strategy gambles. The race became a test of adaptability, with fortunes changing lap by lap in extremely difficult conditions.

17. 2000 Belgian Grand Prix – Spa

A race remembered for a defining overtake at one of the world’s fastest circuits. The battle between Mika Häkkinen and Michael Schumacher produced one of F1’s most iconic passing moves.

16. 1986 Australian Grand Prix – Adelaide

A season finale filled with tension. A late tyre failure shattered championship hopes for one contender, handing the title to another in a dramatic and unexpected conclusion.

15. 1998 Belgian Grand Prix – Spa

Rain, first-lap carnage, and controversy dominated the day. The race saw multiple restarts, team orders disputes, and one of the most debated collisions in F1 history.

14. 1968 German Grand Prix – Nürburgring

Held on the fearsome Nordschleife in torrential rain, this race demanded extraordinary bravery. Drivers faced standing water, fog, and massive speed differentials over the longest circuit F1 ever raced.

13. 2005 Japanese Grand Prix – Suzuka

A race defined by relentless overtaking. Drivers charged through the field with bold moves, culminating in a stunning last-lap pass that sealed one of Suzuka’s finest races.

12. 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix – Interlagos

An emotional home victory achieved under extreme physical strain. Mechanical issues forced the winner to wrestle the car to the finish, turning endurance into triumph.

11. 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

A season-long title fight came down to the final lap. Strategic decisions, safety car controversy and immense pressure made this one of the most debated races in F1 history.

10. 1987 British Grand Prix – Silverstone

High-speed racing at its finest. Multiple lead changes and relentless pressure showcased the raw intensity of turbo-era Formula One.

9. 1957 German Grand Prix – Nürburgring

A legendary comeback drive over the Nordschleife. Mechanical adversity, fuel strategy and sheer determination combined in one of the greatest performances ever seen.

8. 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix – Interlagos

A championship decided through chaos. Rain, collisions and recovery drives ensured the title fight remained alive until the final corners of the final race.

7. 2008 British Grand Prix – Silverstone

Wet conditions separated the exceptional from the rest. One driver delivered a dominant performance, lapping rivals and redefining what control in the rain looked like.

6. 2019 German Grand Prix – Hockenheim

Modern Formula One at its most unpredictable. Rain, mistakes and bold strategy calls turned the race into a survival test rather than a speed contest.

5. 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix – Interlagos

One of the most dramatic finales ever. The championship changed hands in the final corners of the final lap, delivering raw emotion rarely matched in sport.

4. 1997 European Grand Prix – Jerez

Three drivers set identical qualifying times, setting the stage for a controversial and fiercely contested race that remains one of the most talked-about finales.

3. 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix – Interlagos

A modern epic defined by an extraordinary recovery drive. Strategy, timing and relentless pace combined to produce one of the greatest performances of the hybrid era.

2. 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

A tactical chess match for the world title. Strategy calls proved decisive, with one driver capitalizing on rivals’ miscalculations to claim the championship.

1. 2011 Canadian Grand Prix – Montreal

Widely regarded as the greatest Formula One race ever. Six safety cars, unpredictable weather, countless lead changes and a last-lap victory turned this race into pure motorsport theatre.